OrH Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter

March 27, 2018

Passover TARDIS
The Passover seder exerts a strong pull on our people. Many studies and polls show that across the spectrum of observances and beliefs it’s the most widely-observed Jewish ritual outside of the High Holy Days.

At its core, the seder is a Jewish time-traveling psychodrama, a biblio/rabbinic-drama, a fine expression of Judaism as an Evolving Religious Civilization: Our people’s TARDIS (ask a fan of Doctor Who to explain).

Among the reasons for its endurance may be its many signature passages. Some may resonate more with you than others, and they thrive on their flexibility. The proliferation of “themed” haggadot and  haggadah supplements offer ways to structure the prescribed rituals that highlight contemporary issues such as modern slave trafficking, vegetarianism, or the occupation in Israel/Palestine.

The traditional symbols on the table have also lent themselves to expansion and adaptation. In addition to the characteristic items on  the seder plate – roasted egg, roasted shank bone (or beet), haroset, parsley, maror, and sometimes hazeret – there may be an orange, a tomato, fair trade chocolate, a lock and key, and next to Elijah’s cup, a Miriam’s Cup filled with water.

Here’s the thing: inclusion is inextricably linked to the questions raised at the seder, and the paradigms used to tell the story: four questions about why things are different at this particular moment; four offspring who see and experience the world so differently that they ask four profoundly different questions to launch the story-telling.

What – and whom - shall we include this year? How shall the gatherings we host or attend make note of what – and who – is left out, left behind in Mitzrayim – not a particular country on a map, but any country that constricts and restricts human rights? For what we celebrate at our seders, is, at its core, the freedom to disregard borders, and our obligation to see ourselves as perpetually connected to the experience of seeking and finding refuge.

Our fabled liberation compels us not only to retell the story, but to manifest that opportunity for others, in our time. This community’s Shalom Group awaits the arrival of a family from the Middle East. If the analogy to a fictional time-traveling device may seem a stretch, just think of the seder experience and what it inspires in us not as fan fiction, but as Jewish Fan Reality. We can, and must, Let All People Go.

Have a joyous and meaningful Passover!

- Rabbi Liz

Last Chance to Register for our Community Seder
The last day to register for our popular community Passover Seder is this Thursday, March 29 at noon. We currently have space available for both the family and adult-oriented Seders, but they are filling up. To register visit the Seder information page at www.orh.ca/passover-seder.html.
 
For those who have already registered, please remember to sign up for your pot-luck contribution. The link can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/ycvef2yc. Note that there are individual sign-ups for each Seder (family or adult-oriented), so be sure to include your contribution on the correct sheet.
 
We also ask that if you have your own copy of the Reconstructionist Haggadah, A Night of Questions, that you please bring it to the Seder to ensure that we have enough copies for everyone. 

Reconstructionist Haggadah
We have obtained 10 copies of the Reconstructionist Haggadah, A Night of Questions. This is a unique four-in-one Haggadah that includes outlines for customizing a Seder for the people present at the table: a Seder with young children, a Seder with older children and adults, a Seder for groups of diverse backgrounds (including those who are not Jewish), and a Seder focusing on the role of women. It was developed by the Reconstructionist Movement. If you would like to purchase one, please contact Jan at jjottawa@hotmail.com. The cost is $35.00, payable by cheque. We can order more but they will not be here for Passover this year.

We Need You on the Board of Directors
Are you looking for an opportunity to get more involved at OrH? Consider joining the OrH Board. The OrH Board is responsible for directing and providing oversight of the congregation. It is particularly important that the Board reflects our diverse membership, including new and long-time members, Machaneh Shabbat and BaMa'Gal families, those who regularly attend services and events or just the occasional holiday or festival gatherings. While some Board members take on certain roles and responsibilities, such as adult learning, education, communications, membership, treasurer, and secretary, others serve as at-large members – ideal for new Board members to learn about what the Board does and where their particular interests may lie. The Board meets monthly at Unitarians or at members' homes. If you are curious or interested in learning more please contact info@orh.ca or reach out to a current Board member (contacts listed at www.orh.ca/board-of-directors).

Hesed (OrH Caring Committee) Will Be Conducting a Survey
Even if we don’t absolutely need it, there are times in our lives when a little bit of kind help can make a big difference in our well-being. One of the gifts of belonging to a community is that there are always many hands ready to pitch in and help each other out.
 
Hesed at Or Haneshamah is organizing to coordinate offers of help with those who would most appreciate it.  Hesed wants to lend a helping hand when life turns stressful, when a death occurs, when illness strikes, when you’re housebound, when even a joyous event such as a new baby turns your life upside down.
 
We really want to know what we can do, and we also invite you to consider being on our list of people who can offer a helping hand. Some of the ways you could help are attending a shiva minyan, bringing someone a meal, offering a ride (to medical appointments, OrH services or events) or simply lending an ear.
 
To this end, Hesed is about to undertake a survey of the OrH membership.  In the coming weeks, members of our committee will be calling each person or family to find out what, if any, help they would be prepared to offer to other members, and what, if any, needs they might have (or anticipate having) of support from their community.  This will then help Hesed define the terms of what we can offer with the resources we have. We know that everyone has different ideas about what they want people to know about them and how they want information shared (or not). We’ll keep all information confidential. 

April JED Talk: Climate, Energy, and the Importance of Facts
Join us on Friday, April 13, at 8:00 pm (following Kabbalat Shabbat services at 6:30 and potluck supper at 7:30) for a JED (Jewish Education and Dialogue) presentation and discussion on "Climate, Energy, and the Importance of Facts" with OrH member and University of Ottawa physics professor Jacob Krich.
 
Climate change is one of the gravest threats humanity faces. It is deeply intertwined with the extraction of fossil fuels, which provide a large portion of the energy that fuels modern human activity. The energy system sometimes seems impossibly large (about $8 trillion a year, globally) and commensurately impossible to change. Yet change it we must. There are many actions that we, as individuals and as members of a political community, are asked to take to help avert climate change. Not all of these actions are equally important, and some may even be counterproductive. Though the energy system is big, and we can discuss any topic of interest, we will start with a perhaps surprising question: Would it be better if North America had a good high speed passenger rail system, as in Europe and Japan?
 
Also note our last two JED Talks of the season:
May 11 - "Putting water first, not last, in any Israeli-Palestinian Peace Agreement" with David Brooks.
June 8 - "Hospice Care in Ottawa" with Heni Nadel.
 
For more information visit the JED Talk page at www.orh.ca/jed.

Upcoming Services and Events
 
Passover Seder
Saturday, March 31, 2018
6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Register now at www.orh.ca/passover-seder.html. Registration closes at noon on Thursday, March 29.
 
Shabbat morning Torah service
Saturday, April 7, 2018
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM, Fellowship Hall, Unitarians
Shaharit service of morning blessings and songs, including Torah service, a participatory discussion of the day’s portion, followed by Kiddush/pot luck luncheon (note: hametz is permissible).
 
Jewish Mindfulness Meditation
Thursday, April 12, 2018
7:15 PM - 9:15 PM, Room 5, lower level of Unitarians
A learning activity open to all who want to explore, learn, grow and share a mindfulness experience with a Jewish perspective. Affiliation with a Jewish organization is not required. No RSVP required. No fee. More information at www.orh.ca/jmm.html. 
 
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, April 13, 2018
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM, Room 5, lower level of Unitarians
Kabbalat Shabbat followed by potluck vegetarian supper and JED Talk at 8 PM.
 
JED Talk: "Climate, Energy, and the Importance of Facts"
Friday, Apr 13, 2018
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Room 5, lower level of Unitarians
Presentation and discussion with OrH member and University of Ottawa physics professor Jacob Krich. More information at https://www.orh.ca/event/jed-talk-17-18-7. 

Reconstructionist News
 
Reconstructionism Today
The latest issue of Reconstructionism Today can be found at: http://bit.ly/2BrXWev. The archive of back issues are available at: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/newsletter-archive. 

In The Ottawa Community
* = New item this week
 
* Opprtunity for university students. The Developing Future Leaders program at The Zelikovitz Centre funds student interns to develop leadership skills through work placements in Partner Agencies in the Jewish Community. The program is funded by a private donation to the Zelikovitz Centre, and is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. As a university / community partnership, The Developing Future Leaders program strives to arrange placements best suited to the skills that the student would like to develop and according to the availability of suitable placements with partner agencies.
 
More information at https://tinyurl.com/y862z2cf. If you are interested in applying, or in accepting a student intern in your organization, please contact Cindi Resnick at cindiresnick@rogers.com or at 613 282 5894.
 
* Jewish Federation of Ottawa Yom Hashoah Holocaust remembrance ceremony, April 11 at 7 pm. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Lindsay at lgottheil@jewishottawa.com, 613-798-4696, ext. 355.
 
Part-time librarian for The Greenberg Families Library at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Knowledge of cataloguing practices and maintaining an automated database is essential. Familiarity with Jewish texts and practices required. You will be responsible for acquisitions, program planning and budget preparation. You must be personable and enjoy working with the public. For more information about hours and venue, please call Maxine Miska, Director of Programming, Soloway Jewish Community Centre (613)798-9818 ext 263, or send your resume to mmiska@jccottawa.com.
 
The Beth Tzedec Congregation Men’s Club in Toronto is pleased to sponsor our long standing scholarship program to assist young men and women who are pursuing programs of higher Jewish education. Applicants need not be a member of Beth Tzedec. Awards are available for a wide range of Jewish studies including education, arts, social work, cantorial and rabbinic studies. Deadline for submitting applications is April 14, 2015. More information available at: https://www.beth-tzedec.org/page/scholarships or contacting (416) 781-3511 or hershr@rogers.com.
 
Raise money for Hillel Lodge simply by subscribing to the Lodge's YouTube Channel. Have A Minute? The Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge is home to 121 residents. It is the only Jewish Long Term Care home in Ottawa. 'The Lodge', as it is affectionately known, knows that your time is precious. Every minute counts and we hope that you have a minute to spare for The Lodge. Click here to watch The Lodge's one minute video. After watching, please subscribe to the Lodge's YouTube channel - its the red button under the video. A caring supporter of the Lodge has generously offered to donate $1 for every subscriber in March 2018 (up to $1000). 
 
2018 G.J. Cooper Scholarship Award. The scholarship, valued at approximately $15,000, is granted each year to support the studies of a member of the Ottawa Jewish community who is between the ages of 18 and 30, has displayed leadership qualities, academic excellence and has an interest in the Jewish community. Deadline April 13, 2018. More info at https://tinyurl.com/yalfvh4l. 
 
The Norman Lesh Philanthropy Award. Valued at about $3,500, the award honours the legacy of philanthropist, Norman Lesh. This award aims at encouraging other innovative thinkers to develop their own philanthropic legacy. Deadline: April 13, 2018. More info at https://tinyurl.com/y8bmjfeu. 
 
Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation Scholarship available! The Ilana and Steven Rubin Scholarship is valued at $1,800 and is aimed to help students who wish to attend a Canadian or Israeli post-secondary institution. Students applying for the scholarship must be graduating from high school this year with at least a B average. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need through qualification for the Ontario Student Assistance Program or equivalent. The application deadline is April 13. More information at http://bit.ly/2FiLj5B, foundation@jewishottawa.com, or 613-798-4696 x270.
 
Sponsor a family's Passover seder. The Ottawa Kosher Food Bank is seeking donations of $72 to sponsor a family's Pesach bag. To donate contact the food bank at 613-728-3501 ext 235, or email michelle@kehillatbethisrael.com. 
 
Journey to Remember: Educational adult trip to Berlin, Poland, Israel with Holocaust survivor, guides. Join a "Journey to Remember" - a "March-of-the-Living" style trip for adults. Organized by Jewish community members, Sharon & David Appotive, Randi & Ian Sherman, Bonnie & Bruce Engel, and Cybele & Lyon Hamburg, you are invited to share a moving experience and a stimulating itinerary in the company of a Holocaust survivor, engaging guides and Ottawa's Rabbi Idan Scher - while enjoying delicious local cuisine and lovely boutique hotel accommodations.  The Journey begins in Berlin, proceeds to Poland and ends in Israel. It is a 17-day trip, taking place this October 2018, with very limited space available. If you are interested, please contact Shari Silverstein at 416-315-4049 or shari@thetravelnetwork.com or Cindy Berg at 416-436-7632 or cindy@thetravelnetwork.com. 
 
Maccabi International Youth Games. Apply Today! Do you have a child who plays soccer? Register now to take part in the Maccabi International Youth Games this summer! Join 1,500 athletes, ages 14-16, from around the world for a 10-day unforgettable Israel experience, which includes sports competitions, sports clinics, Tikkun Olam (volunteering), exciting festivities and a lifetime of memories! From July 22 - August 1, 2018. More information at https://www.maccabicanada.com/the-games/maccabi-international-youth-games.  

Get Involved! Opportunities for Community Involvement
Are you looking to get involved with OrH activities? We are always in need of helping hands with event planning and other activities. All are welcome, including High Schoolers who are looking for community volunteer opportunities. Please contact info@orh.ca or visit the OrH home page (look for the Get Involved! banner). 

Donations to OrH

Donations are a significant part of the funding for activities and rabbinic support in our community. You can direct your contribution to different areas of Or Haneshamah’s activity, including: general donations to fund programming, rabbinic leadership, donations in honor or in memory of a person or event, or dedication of ritual objects. We also welcome donations to the Gita (Tova) & Zvi Memorial Fund, the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund,  the Or Haneshamah Endowment Fund. Federal employees or retirees can also give to OrH through the Annual Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign. Information on all these programs and how to give can be found at this link, or by clicking on the "Donate" tab on the main menu of the OrH website.

Potluck Protocol
Our community’s long time practice is to welcome egg, dairy and fish on the potluck table. Please label your meal contributions with all ingredients to help people with food allergies or sensitivities; also advise kitchen staff whether dish is to be served hot or cold.

Rides to Services and Events
Will you need a ride to services and OrH events? Are you able to offer a ride to services OrH events? We encourage members to be generous with their offers of rides. Please contact  info@orh.ca  with your name and area of the city you are coming from.

Visiting or Studying in Toronto or Montreal?
If you or your children will be in Toronto or Montreal, they are very welcome at our sibling congregations. We have reciprocal memberships with both Darchei Noam (Toronto) and Dorshei Emet (Montreal). Likewise, we welcome their members to our services, programs, and High Holy Day services. For security reasons we ask to call ahead to make arrangements for the High Holy Days.

A Caring Community
Members are encouraged to contact the rabbi or any board member to let us know about your pastoral care needs, or the needs of another member, whether related to a new or an ongoing circumstance. These may include such situations as a pending hospitalization, a change in health, relationship, or employment status, other life transitions, or the death of a loved one. Through knowing what is happening in each other’s lives, we give each other, including our rabbi, the opportunity to perform acts of gemilut hasadim/loving kindness, the hallmark of a caring community.

We Are Listening
How do you feel things are going in our community? Do you have ideas about programs or events that we should pursue? What aspects of Or Haneshamah do you feel are working well, and what do you think can be improved?  In the interest of making OrH the best community that it can be, the board and rabbi invite you to submit comments and feedback at any time. Please send your thoughts to  feedback@orh.ca  or directly to any member of the board (email addresses below).

Board of Directors
President: Paula,  president@orh.ca
Treasurer: Jacob,  treasurer@orh.ca
Education: Heni,  learning@orh.ca
Communications: David M.,  communications@orh.ca
Secretary: David L.,  secretary@orh.ca
Membership: Janet,  membership@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Jean,  member-at-large.jean@orh.ca
Member-at-Large: Jan,  member-at-large.jan@orh.ca
Past President: Mark,  past-president@orh.ca
 
Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton:  rabbi@orh.ca ​​​​​​​
Members are welcome to contact Rabbi Liz, or any member of the board, regarding pastoral needs.

Or Haneshamah
30 Cleary Ave., Ottawa, ON, K2A 4A1
613-239-4988
www.orh.ca
info@orh.ca

** Disclaimer Regarding Community Event Postings **

Or Haneshamah frequently receives requests to post notices of upcoming events in the community at-large.  These events run the range from cultural, educational, and in some cases explorations of topical political issues.  In the interest of providing information to our congregation about the diversity of interesting events in the Ottawa community we will post notices of these events in our regular newsletter.

We recognize also that from time to time we are requested to post notices of events which are highly controversial in nature and reflect a wide range of opinions among our congregation on particular issues.  We are, however, of the opinion that it is appropriate for us to post events taking place in the community which may challenge us, which may cause discomfort, and which may cause us to reflect on some of our beliefs.  Our openness to post notices for a wide range of community events, however, does not mean that we have abdicated our responsibility to show discernment and to distinguish between those events which demonstrate an open-minded and thoughtful approach to specific issues and those which do not appear to reflect such values.  So, we will make judgments about what notices we believe are appropriate to post and those which we believe will not contribute to a thoughtful and balanced exploration of ideas and issues.

Will we make mistakes along the way?  Probably.  But the possibility of errors of judgment does not mean that we can excuse ourselves from the responsibility to show judgment in posting notices about events in the community and we promise to do so with openness tempered by a sense of responsibility.

In agreeing to post any notice of an event in the community, Or Haneshamah does not endorse, support or promote any perspectives, positions or ideas expressed in the events which are posted in our newsletter.